What does BS 7671 require of the way wiring systems are supported, with fire in mind?

They must be supported so that they will not be liable to premature collapse in a fire

They need fire-resistant supports only where they cross a protected escape route

They may be fixed with plastic clips anywhere, provided spacings follow the OSG

They need no particular support, as long as the cable itself is fire-resistant

Which installation method does BS 7671 say is deemed to meet the requirement against premature collapse in a fire?

Cables installed in or on steel cable containment systems

Cables clipped with plastic clips at the spacings given in the On-Site Guide

Cables laid loose on top of a suspended ceiling grid

Cables bundled together with nylon cable ties to a pipe

Where is a prescribed zone for a cable concealed in a wall?

Within 150 mm of the top of the wall or of a corner, or in line with an accessory

Anywhere on the wall, provided the cable is at least 25 mm deep in the plaster

Within 300 mm of the floor, or diagonally between two accessories on the same wall

Only directly above or below the consumer unit, within 500 mm of its enclosure

Free mock exam

Installation Practices — AM2 Online Knowledge Test Practice

Free topic-focused mock exam: all 19 questions on Installation Practices, drawn from the wider AM2 Online Knowledge Test bank. 35-minute timer, 70% to pass, worked explanation on every question. Use this when you've taken the full mock once and want to drill the topics you got wrong.

Questions: 19
Time limit: 35 min
Pass mark: 70% · 14/19
Question bank: 19

Free, no sign-up. Retake as many times as you like — the questions are reshuffled, with the answer order changed.

Sample questions

01What does BS 7671 require of the way wiring systems are supported, with fire in mind?
- AThey must be supported so that they will not be liable to premature collapse in a fire
- BThey may be fixed with plastic clips anywhere, provided spacings follow the OSG
- CThey need no particular support, as long as the cable itself is fire-resistant
- DThey need fire-resistant supports only where they cross a protected escape route
Why: Regulation 521.10.202 applies to wiring systems generally, not only in escape routes: they shall be supported so that they will not be liable to premature collapse in the event of a fire. Cables hanging across access or egress routes can hinder evacuation and firefighting (NOTE 1).
02Which installation method does BS 7671 say is deemed to meet the requirement against premature collapse in a fire?
- ACables bundled together with nylon cable ties to a pipe
- BCables installed in or on steel cable containment systems
- CCables laid loose on top of a suspended ceiling grid
- DCables clipped with plastic clips at the spacings given in the On-Site Guide
Why: NOTE 2 to Regulation 521.10.202 says cables installed in or on steel cable containment are deemed to meet it. Plastic clips or nylon ties alone can soften and let go in a fire, and a ceiling grid or a pipe is not a cable support.
03Where is a prescribed zone for a cable concealed in a wall?
- AWithin 300 mm of the floor, or diagonally between two accessories on the same wall
- BOnly directly above or below the consumer unit, within 500 mm of its enclosure
- CAnywhere on the wall, provided the cable is at least 25 mm deep in the plaster
- DWithin 150 mm of the top of the wall or of a corner, or in line with an accessory
Why: A prescribed zone is within 150 mm of the top of the wall or partition, within 150 mm of an angle formed by two adjoining walls, or running horizontally or vertically from a point, accessory or switchgear on the wall. On a wall 100 mm thick or less the zone extends to the reverse side where the accessory position can be found from there.

Common questions

Is the Installation Practices mock exam free?

Yes, it is free with no sign-up needed. Questions are pulled at random from a substantial bank, with a worked explanation on every question after you submit.

Can I retake the mock exam?

Yes. Every attempt picks a different random selection and reshuffles the options, so each retake gives you genuinely new questions. No limit on retakes.

Does this count as a qualification?

No. This is independent practice material and does not award a qualification, card or certificate. Where a subject has a formal qualification or card, you gain it through an approved provider.